Method for regulating transmission power in a radio system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for regulating the transmission power of a transmitter (BS) in a radio system, for a transmission of data (D) to a receiver (MS) by means of a radio interface. The receiver (MS) determines an actual value (PR) for a qualitative parameter of the received signal, makes a comparison with a set value (Psoll) and, thereafter, transmits comparison information (TPC) on the result of the comparison to the transmitter. Adjustment of the transmission power (PT) of the transmitter (BS) is made based on a correction value for the set value (Psoll) of the qualitative parameter of the received signal, in addition to comparison information (TPC) from the receiver (MS).

[0001] The invention relates to a method for regulating transmit power in a radio system. The invention is suitable in particular for use in a third-generation mobile radio system, but is not restricted to mobile radio systems.

[0002] The most widespread mobile radio system is GSM (global system for mobile communications), which was developed for a single service, i.e. voice transmission. The GSM mobile radio system is referred to as a 2nd-generation system.

[0003] In contrast to this, a plurality of services, which are intended to be transmitted within one transmission protocol via commonly used physical channels, are provided for its successor, the 3rd mobile radio generation, which is currently being standardized in Europe under the name UMTS (universal system for mobile communications).

[0004] The standardization documents ETSI SMG2/UMTS L23 expert group, Tdoc SMG2 UMTS-L23 357/98, dated 6.10.1998, Tdoc SMG2 508/98 and Tdoc SMG2 515/98, dated 16.11.1998, provide an overview of the current state of development of standardization and, in particular, of the requirements describing how a transmission protocol can support the transport of data of a plurality of services.

[0005] The use of a common physical channel for the transmission of data of a plurality of services requires a unique mapping rule to specify the allocation of the services to different segments of the physical channel. A physical channel is defined, for example, by a frequency band, a spread code (CDMA code division multiple access) and, if necessary, a time slot within a frame.

[0006] The following terms are used to describe the mapping rule:

[0007] Transport Format (TF):

[0008] A transport format defines a data rate, a coding, an interleaving, a data rate adaptation through punctuation and an error-protection rule of a transport channel for a service.

[0009] Transport Format Set (TFS):

[0010] This refers to a set of possible transport formats, which are permitted for a special service.

[0011] Transport Format Combination (TFC):

[0012] This term indicates a possible combination of transport formats of the different services which are mapped onto a common physical channel.

[0013] Transport Format Combination Set (TFCS):

[0014] This refers to a set of possible TFCs as a subset of all TFCs which are permitted for a special connection.

[0015] Transport Format Combination Identifier (TFCI):

[0016] This information indicates the currently used combination of transport formats within the TFCS. Examples of the transport formats can be found in ETSI SMG2/UMTS L23 expert group, Tdoc SMG2 UMTS-L23 357/98, dated 6.10.98, pp. 14-16.

[0017] TFC modifiability and therefore regular signaling of the TFCI are required for user-oriented selection of the currently used combination of transport formats of the different services.

[0018] CDMA separation of the different channels is used in 3rd-generation mobile radio transmission systems. In order to achieve different data rates with the resources available on the air interface, the spreading of the data which are to be transmitted is variable In order to achieve flexible spreading of this type, for example, either redundant data bits can be added as part of the channel coding, or data bits can be removed (“repetition”=expansion or “puncturing”=compression of data). Flexible spreading is also achieved by modifying the spreading factors of the CDMA spread codes which are used. If the current TFC is modified, this normally results in a modification of the spreading of the data to be transmitted. “Rate matching” can be achieved through the different spreading of the data, i.e. the available channel capacity is optimally utilized by the data to be transmitted.

[0019] In order to guarantee transmission quality which is as constant as possible (determined e.g. as the bit error rate or signal-to-noise or signal-to-interference ratio) at the minimum transmit power, feedback power regulation is required, in which the receiver transfers information to the transmitter relating to the required transmit power regulation using the signals received by it. The feedback from the receiver to the transmitter relating to the required adaptation of the transmit power is performed through corresponding signaling, referred to as the “TPC” (Transmit Power Control) bits. To do this, the receiver evaluates the useful signals received from the transmitter, for example, by evaluating the signal-to-noise ratio as a quality parameter of the receive signal.

[0020] In a favorable manner, the receiver could obtain the value of this quality parameter required for the respective TFC which is used from the TFCI transferred to it by the transmitter. In the FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) variant of UMTS, the complete TFCI is received at the end of a transmission frame. In the TDD (Time Division Duplex) variant of UMTS, the TFCI is transferred in each time slot. However, particularly with the use of a “joint detector”, which performs simultaneous detection of all the spread codes which are used in the radio cell, a certain time passes following receipt of the TFCI before the TFCI is fully decoded. As a result, the receiver may not start the evaluation of the TPC bits for the current time frame until relatively late. The earliest possible time for transfer to the transmitter of the TPC bits determined by the receiver is thus also delayed. In the case of TDD, this results in a minimum spacing, which must not be understepped, between the two transmission directions (uplink and downlink). This signifies a restriction in the channel allocation for the transmission directions.

[0021] In J-H Wen et al, “Performance of Short-Term Fading Prediction-Based Power Control Method for DS-CDMA Cellular Mobile Radio Networks”, a method is described which takes into account the short-term fading of the transmission signal when regulating the transmit power of a base station.

[0022] In DE 198 21 519 A1, the ratio of receive power to noise power is determined in the receiver of a mobile part, is compared with a set value and a signaling bit is transmitted to a base station depending on the result of the comparison. The signaling bit is then used to calculate the current or updated transmit power.

[0023] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,333, a multichannel communications system is described in which, using an iterative method, the transmit power is monitored for each channel in such a way that a predefined minimal signal-to-noise plus signal-to-interference ratio (SNIR) is attained for the channels.

[0024] The object of the invention is to indicate a method and a radio system in which the determination of the information relating to the necessary adaptation of the transmit power of the transmitter in the receiver is less severely delayed.

[0025] This object is achieved by the method according to claim 1 and by a radio system according to claim 10. Advantageous designs and further developments of the invention form the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

[0026] The method for regulating the transmit power of a transmitter in a radio system for transmission of data to a receiver via a radio interface entails the following steps:

[0027] the receiver determines an actual value of a quality parameter of the receive signal and, following a comparison with a set value, transmits comparison information relating to the result of the comparison to the transmitter, and,

[0028] when the transmit power of the transmitter is regulated, along with the comparison information transferred by the a correction value for the set value of the quality parameter of the receive signal is additionally taken into account.

[0029] The quality parameter of the receive signal may, for example, be the bit error rate determined prior to the decoding of the received data, or the signal-to-noise ratio SNR or the signal-to-interference ratio SIR. The comparison information may, for example, be transferred in the form of the aforementioned TPC bits from the receiver to the transmitter.

[0030] The invention is characterized in that a correction value for regulating the transmit power is additionally taken into account along with the comparison information. In known radio systems with feedback transmit power regulation, the transmit power regulation is performed purely on the basis of the transferred comparison information. The invention offers the advantage that, due to the correction value, circumstances which were not known to the receiver when the comparison information was determined can be taken into account in the transmit power adaptation. This may, for example, be an update, which has become necessary in the interim period, of the set value of the quality parameter required for the set/actual value comparison, which could not be taken into account by the receiver at the time when the comparison was made.

[0031] The receiver according to the invention has no knowledge of the transmit power used by the transmitter, which is selected according to the spreading which is used. The transmitter may modify its transmit power by varying the puncturing, repetition and/or spreading factor. This is the case, for example, in the event of modification of the TFC which is used. If the receive power is modified in the receiver, the latter cannot identify this without corresponding information from the transmitter, indicating whether this modification is due to a deliberate modification of the transmit power or (unwanted) attenuation by the transmission channel.

[0032] Conversely, the transmitter knows, for example, why it modifies a transport format combination or the spreading for the data which are to be transmitted, and what effects this change will have on the required transmit power. If, for example, the data are spread to a greater extent than before, the transmit power and the set value for the quality parameter of the receive signal can be reduced under constant transmission conditions (attenuation, interference or noise), nevertheless to retain the same receive quality for the data which are to be decoded. The modification of the transmit power and the set value of the quality parameter based purely on the modification of the spreading or expansion/compression is referred to below as the “power offset”. The transmitter can take this power offset into account as a correction value for the comparison information of the receiver when regulating the transmit power.

[0033] The data may, for example, be transmitted in consecutive time frames, whereby information relating to the set value of the quality parameter of the receive signal is transmitted in a temporally recurring manner to the receiver, and the receiver carries out the set/actual value comparison of the quality parameter in each time frame, in each case using the last set value which was notified with the corresponding information in one of the preceding time frames. This offers the advantage that the receiver can carry out the comparison at a very early stage in the current time frame, since it does not first have to decode the set value transmitted in the current time frame.

[0034] It is favorable if the set value information transmitted to the receiver is kept constant in each case for at least two consecutive time frames. Since the receiver always uses the set value of the preceding time frames for the set/actual value comparison, a correction value for the transmit power regulation of the transmitter then needs to be taken into account in only some of the time frames.

[0035] If transport formats which are in each case permitted for the transmission of corresponding data are defined for a plurality of services and data of a combination of a plurality of the services are transmitted via a commonly used physical channel, it is favorable to transmit from the transmitter to the receiver information relating to the combination, used in the current time frame, of the transport formats of the services used for data transmission as set value information. The set value is therefore determined from the TFCI, which is transferred in any case to notify the currently used TFC.

[0036] When regulating the transmit power for the current time frame, it is favorable to take into account not only the comparison information transferred by the receiver in the preceding time frame, but also a modification of the transport format combination used for the data transmission carried out in the current time frame compared with the preceding time frame. The modification of the transport format combination is therefore also taken into account in the correction value for the transmit power regulation.

[0037] When regulating the transmit power for the current time frame, a modification of the transport format combination used, which was carried out in the preceding time frame compared with the latter's preceding time frame can additionally be taken into account.

[0038] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to embodiments.

[0039] The FIGURE shows a base station BS and a mobile station MS of a UMTS mobile radio system. The adaptation of the transmit power of the base station BS is considered below, although the invention is also applicable to the adaptation of the transmit power of the mobile station MS. The base station BS transfers data D of a plurality of services (e.g. a voice service, a fax service, an e-mail service and/or a different data service), corresponding to a predefined transport format combination (TFC), to the mobile station MS. Furthermore, it transmits a TFC identifier (TFCI) to the mobile station MS. Using the TFCI, the mobile station is able to recognize the currently used TFC. To do this, a corresponding table TAB is stored in a corresponding memory in the mobile station MS, containing all permissible TFCS. The TFCI refers to an entry in this table TAB and thus identifies the TFC which is used.

[0040] The table TAB stored in the mobile station MS furthermore contains a set value SIR_(Soll) corresponding to the relevant TFC for the signal-to-interference ratio of the signals received by the mobile station MS. On the basis of the different spreading of the data in the different TFCs, this set value is likewise different in each case for each permitted TFC. The mobile station MS determines the actual value SIR_(Ist) of the data D transmitted by the base station with a corresponding measuring device M. This can be done e.g. through mean value formation over part of the current time frame. It then carries out a set/actual value comparison of the SIR with a comparison unit CMP. As the result of this comparison, the mobile station MS transfers TPC (Transmit Power Control) bits to the base station BS, which are used there to adapt the transmit power. However, the adaptation of the transmit power of the base station BS is not carried out according to the invention purely on the basis of the TPC bits transferred to the base station. A correction value for the power adaptation is additionally taken into account, and this will be considered below.

[0041] In the mobile station MS, the TFCI of the current frame occurs so late that evaluation of the TFCI and determination of the associated set value SIR_(Soll) before the time of the set/actual value comparison would result in an excessive time delay.

[0042] In each time frame, the mobile station MS therefore uses the TFCI of the preceding frame in order to determine the set value SIR_(Soll) for the set/actual value comparison. It then has sufficient time to determine the respective next set value SIR_(Soll) with the aid of the stored table TAB from the TFCI which it has previously detected. The mobile station MS is thus able to signal the necessary power adaptations without substantial time delays. As a result, however, with a modification of the TFC which is signaled by the TFCI in the current frame, the mobile station always uses an “out-of-date” set value SIR_(Soll) for the comparison, i.e. the value from the respective preceding frame. For this reason, a correction value for the adaptation of the transmit power is taken into account according to the invention in the base station, along with the TPC bits transferred by the mobile station MS, taking into account the modification of the TFC, which has not yet affected the set value P_(Soll) required by the mobile station for the set/actual value comparison. The “error” caused by the mobile station MS in its set/actual value comparison is corrected in the base station. BS by means of this correction value. This correction value can be determined without difficulty, since the modification of the TFC of the base station BS, which itself carries out this modification, is of course known.

[0043] The transmit power is regulated in the base station in the embodiments considered here according to the following algorithm:

[0044] A “reference TFC” is first defined in a first step. This is understood below to refer to a specific TFC which is selected at random from the permitted TFCs (these are the TFCs stored in the table TAB of the mobile station MS). A specific base station transmit power is determined (depending on the channel quality), which is used as the reference transmit power for the other TFCs for error-free transmission of the data with this reference TFC. The transmit power for the transmission of the data of the other TFCs is therefore indicated below relative to that of the reference TFC as the “(power) offset”. This offset is produced due to the different spreading of the data of the different TFCs, resulting from different puncturing, repetition or different spreading factors. The offset is constant, independent of the channel quality for each TFC. The offset may also be the same for a plurality of TFCs.

[0045] Following the definition of the reference TFC and the offsets for the transmit power for all permitted TFCs, the transmit power is determined as follows for each transmission frame:

[0046] “Case 1”: If the offset of the transmit power, related to the reference TFC, was greater in the preceding frame than in the frame before that and, furthermore, a reduction in the transmit power is required with the TPC bits of the preceding frame, even though the amount of the required reduction is less than the transmitted difference between the power offsets of the two consecutive frames, the transmit power in the current frame initially remains unchanged compared to the value in the preceding frame. However, in this case, the TPC bits of the respective next uplink frame in particular are additionally evaluated: If these in turn require a reduction in the transmit power, the latter will be reduced in the following downlink frame by double the required amount. The step size of the transmit power regulation is therefore increased.

[0047] Explanation: This response is required, since the base station BS, following the initially received TPC bits, does not know whether the required power reduction was caused merely by the increased transmit power or, additionally, by an improved channel with lower channel attenuation. Finally, the mobile station MS carries out the set/actual value comparison of the SIR with a possibly “out-of-date” set value SIR_(Soll), which relates back to an interim changeover of the TFC which is used. However, even before transmission of the TPC bits of the next frame, the mobile device already knows (through evaluation of the TFCI of the preceding frame) the TFC used by the base station and therefore the associated power offset and the associated set value SIR_(Soll), and can therefore control the required correction of the transmit power in an appropriate manner. By means of a repeat request for power reduction and the associated reduction by double the amount, a dynamic response can be achieved as if the transmit power had already been reduced in the base station following reception of the TPC bits of the first frame.

[0048] “Case 2(a)”: If the offset of the transmit power, compared with the reference TFC in the previous frame, was less than the frame before that and a higher transmit power is required with the uplink TPC bits of the previous frame, even though the amount of the increase required by the TPC bits is less than the power reduction which is to be carried out on the basis of the difference between the power offsets of the two frames, the transmit power in the current frame initially remains unchanged compared with the value in the preceding frame. However, in this case the TPC bits of the respective next uplink frame in particular are additionally evaluated: If these in turn require an increase in the transmit power, the latter will be increased in the following downlink frame by double the required amount.

[0049] Explanation: This response is required, since the base station, following the first received TPC bits, does not know whether the required power increase was caused merely by the reduced transmit power or, additionally, by a poorer channel (higher attenuation). However, even before transmission of the TPC bits of the next frame, the mobile device already knows (through evaluation of the TFCI) the power offset used by the base station and therefore the signal-to-interference ratio SIR_(Soll), and can therefore deliberately control the required correction of the transmit power. By means of a repeat request for a power increase and the associated increase by double the amount, a dynamic response can be achieved as if the transmit power had already been increased in the base station following reception of the TPC bits of the first frame.

[0050] “Case 2(b)”: As an alternative to case 2(a), in a different embodiment, the power adaptation can also be performed for the last-described case according to a modified algorithm in order to ensure, with even higher probability, that a minimum power level is not understepped, even though on average a slightly higher transmit power is set in the base station:

[0051] To do this, if the power offset in the previous frame was less than in the frame before that and a higher transmit power is required in the uplink TPC of the previous frame, the transmit power is already increased in the current frame by the value signaled with the TPC bits. In this variant also, the TPC bits in particular are additionally evaluated in the respective next uplink frame: if the latter then requires a reduction in the transmit power by a specific step, the power is reduced in the following downlink frame by double the amount.

[0052] “Case 3”: In all other cases, the transmit power is increased, maintained or reduced according to the value of the TPC bits signaled in the previous frame, additionally by the difference in the power offsets from the current frame in relation to the respective previous frame, due to a possible changeover of the TFCs.

[0053] The aforementioned algorithm can be expressed as a formula, using the following notations: T Number of the current frame P(T) Transmit power in the current frame P_(0ff)(T) Additional offset of the transmit power in the current frame due to variable spreading, relative to a predefined “reference TFC” (P_(Off) = 0 corresponds to the transmit power of the reference TFC) ΔP_(0ff)(T) = P_(0ff)(T) − P_(0ff)(T-1) P_(TPC)(T) Power modification for the receive power in the time frame T signaled by the TPC bits of the first frame following T in the opposite direction

[0054] These notations produce the following equations, which describe the modification of the transmit power depending on the spreading, which may differ for each TFC (resulting in a corresponding offset compared with the reference TFC), and of the TPC bits (the specified cases refer to the above numbering, and either case 2(a) or case 2(b) may be used in different embodiments):

[0055] Case 1: if ΔP_(Off)(T−1)>0

−ΔP_(off)(T−1)<ΔP_(TPC)(T−1)<0

[0056]

P(T)=P(T−1)

[0057] if, additionally, P_(TPC)(T)<0

[0058]

P(T+1)=P(T)+2·P_(TPC)(T)

[0059] Case 2a: if ΔP_(Off)(T−1)<0

−ΔP_(Off)(T−1)>ΔP_(TPC)(T−1)>0

[0060]

P(T)=P(T−1)

[0061] if, additionally, P_(TPC)(T)>0

[0062]

P(T+1)=P(T)+2·P_(TPC)(T)

[0063] Case 2b: if ΔP_(Off)(T−1)<0

P_(TPC)(T−1)>0

[0064]

P(T)=P(T−1)+P_(TPC)(T−1)

[0065] if, additionally, P_(TPC)(T)<0

[0066]

P(T+1)=P(T)+2·P_(TPC)(T)

[0067] Case 3: The following applies in all cases:

[0068] P(T)=P (T−1)+P_(TPC)(T−1)+ΔP_(Off)(T)

[0069] A specific example will serve to clarify the method. The following table shows, for a period of 16 frames:

[0070] the frame number T,

[0071] the current transmit power P actually set by the base station, relating to any given constant power value,

[0072] the (spreading-related) power offset P_(Off) of the current TFC in the respective frame, by which the current transmit power P is increased or reduced compared with the transmit power of the reference TFC,

[0073] the random power modification ΔP(channel attenuation) caused by the channel,

[0074] the current signal-to-interference ratio SIR_(Ist) (actual value) received and measured by the mobile device MS,

[0075] the set value currently used by the mobile station for the signal-to-interference ratio SIR_(Soll), and

[0076] the transmit power modification P_(TPC) signaled by the mobile device following the set/actual value comparison of the signal-to-interference ratio by the TPC bits, which is to be carried out by the base station.

[0077] For the sake of simplification, a constant interference of 0 dB is assumed, and the SIR set value is furthermore defined as SIR_(Soll)=0dB for the reference TFC.

[0078] The current set value SIR_(Soll) corresponds to the power offset P_(Off) used by the base station BS in the immediately preceding frame, since the mobile station can only evaluate the TFCI which is then completely transferred with a one-frame delay, and can determine the set value SIR_(Soll) therefrom with the aid of the table TAB stored in the mobile station. It can therefore be said that the set value is always one frame “out-of-date”. Conversely, SIR_(Ist) is instantly measurable, since no decoding of the received data is required, which is not possible until all data of a frame have been received. Since the respective TFC which is used is maintained constant for at least two consecutive frames, the correct set value for this TFC is known to the mobile station following a changeover of the TFCs after two frames at the latest. Since each TFC may have a different power offset P_(Off) compared with the reference TFC, the set values SIR_(Soll) of the remaining TFCs also differ under the same transmission conditions (same channel attenuation, same interference) from the set value of the reference TFC by the value of the respective power offset P_(Off).

[0079] All power values in the table below are specified in dB, with modifications in full dB only. In this embodiment, the aforementioned case 2(b) is used. Each TFC is maintained constant for at least two frames, so that the mobile station knows the set value SIR_(Soll) which is actually valid for the currently used TFC, determined from the table TAB stored in the mobile station MS at least in each second frame on the basis of the TFCI of the preceding frame which has since become known. In this example, P_(TPC) may assume the values −1, 0 or 1 only or, alternatively only the two values −1 and 1, for example, are possible in other embodiments: T 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 P_(Off) 0 0 2 2 2 2 −2 −2 0 0 −2 −2 2 2 2 2 P_(T) 0 1 4 4 5 4 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 5 5 5 5 ΔP −1 −2 −2 −3 −2 −1 0 0 −2 −4 −4 −3 −3 −2 −3 −4 SIR_(Ist) −1 −1 2 1 3 3 −1 0 −2 −4 −5 −3 2 3 2 1 SIR_(Soll) 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 −2 −2 0 0 −2 −2 2 2 2 P_(TPC) 1 1 −1 1 −1 −1 1 −1 0 1 1 1 −1 0 0 1

[0080] Explanation of the Above Table:

[0081] The reference TFC is transmitted at time T=0. P_(Off)=0 applies here. Furthermore, ΔP_(Off)(−1)=ΔP_(Off)(0)=0 is assumed. The channel causes an attenuation of 1 dB, so that the set value SIR_(Ist)=−1 dB is measured in the receiver. The receiver compares the actual value with the SIR set value of 0 dB assumed for the reference TFC and then requests an increase in the transmit power, i.e. P_(TPC)(0)=1 (corresponding to case 3).

[0082] T=1: The reference TFC is again transmitted, but now increased by 1 dB to 1 dB in total due to the TPC bits of the preceding frame which have since been received. The channel effects attenuation on the basis of a channel modification which is caused e.g. by the movement of the mobile station, in this case by 2 dB, so that SIR_(Ist)=−1 dB is measured in the receiver. P_(TPC)=1 is then retransmitted on the uplink following the set/actual value comparison (case 3).

[0083] T=2: A changeover of the TFCs which are used is then carried out, whereby the data D are transmitted from the base station BS to the mobile station MS. A P_(Off) of 2 dB is allocated to this new TFC. This means that, under unmodified transmission conditions (attenuation, interference), the transmit power would have to be increased by this power offset of 2 dB entirely on the basis of the TFC changeover. A positive power offset is produced, for example, if the data of the current TFC are less strongly spread or more strongly punctuated than when the reference TFC is used. Due to the received TPC bits of the preceding frame and additional P_(Off)=2 dB in comparison with the reference TFC due to additional puncturing of the data to be transmitted (modification of the TFC), the transmit power of the base station is increased to a total of P=4 dB. SIR_(Ist)=2 dB is then measured in the receiver, so that, in comparison with the unmodified set value SIR_(Soll)=0 dB, a required reduction in the transmit power is signaled by the TPC bits (case 3).

[0084] T=3: Since the transmit power was increased in the preceding frame, it is not then directly reduced despite the reduction request signaled via the TPC bits of the preceding frame, and remains at 4 dB (case 1). A SIR_(Ist) of 1 dB is generated by the channel in the receiver. Since the receiver, through evaluation of the TFCI transferred to it in the last frame, now knows the actual value of the power offset P_(Off) of the currently used TFC and therefore the relevant set value SIR_(Soll) for the signal-to-interference ratio, P_(TPC)=1 dB is signaled by it in order to increase the transmit power of the base station BS to the set value of 2 dB.

[0085] T=4: Since the additional condition of case 1 is not satisfied and furthermore the power offset P_(Off) has remained unchanged, the transmit power is increased according to case 3 by P_(TPC)=1 dB to 5 dB. SIR_(Ist)=3 dB is measured in the receiver due to the channel attenuation. Since this value is higher than the last known SIR_(Soll) for which it was possible to evaluate the TFCI in the receiver at that time, the power reduction request is sent to the base station BS.

[0086] T=5: The power is reduced as requested by 1 dB to 4 dB. An SIR_(Ist) of 3 dB is measured in the receiver, so that a reduction is again signaled.

[0087] T=6: The TFC is again changed over. The new TFC has a power offset of P_(Off)=−2 dB compared with the transmit power of the reference TFC. A negative power offset is achieved, for example, through more substantial spreading or more substantial expansion of the data to be transmitted than in the case where the reference TFC is used. The transmit power is set at P=−1 dB on the basis of the received TPC bits determined on the basis of the data transmitted in the preceding frame and the P_(Off), which is 4 dB lower compared with the previously used TFC. The mobile station MS receives an SIR_(Ist) of −1 dB. Since the receiver compares this actual value with an SIR_(Soll) of +2 dB, it requests an increase in the transmit power P via the TPC bits (case 3).

[0088] T=7: According to case 2b, the transmit power is directly increased. The receiver then measures SIR_(Ist)=0 dB which, on the basis of the now known TFCI of the preceding frame, from which SIR_(Soll)=−2 dB is derived by means of the table TAB, results in the power reduction request (P_(TPC)=−1 db).

[0089] T=8: The TFC is again modified. Since P_(Off)=0 dB, this involves either the reference TFC or a different TFC which has no power offset compared with the reference TFC, since, for example, the same spreading is carried out for the data transferred with both TFCS. Since the additional condition of case 2b is satisfied, the transmit power is mathematically reduced by double the TPC amount, but, on the basis of P_(Off), is simultaneously increased by 2 dB, so that P=0 dB is transmitted unchanged. As a result, SIR_(Ist)=2 dB is measured in the receiver, which corresponds exactly to the set value SIR_(Soll) and produces P_(TPC)=0 dB.

[0090] T=9: P=0 dB is again transmitted. Due to the channel, whose attenuation is constantly changing, SIR_(Ist)=−4 dB is measured in the receiver, which then acknowledges with P_(TPC)=+1.

[0091] T=10: The TFC used is again changed over. The transmit power P of the base station BS is mathematically increased by the 1 dB required by the TPC bits of the preceding frame and is simultaneously reduced by the modified power offset P_(Off) by 2 dB, so that P=−1 dB. SIR_(Ist)=−5 dB is produced in the receiver. A power increase of 1 dB is then required by the current TPC bits.

[0092] T=11: According to case 2b, the transmit power P is increased by 1 dB, whereby SIR_(Ist)=−3 dB is measured in the receiver, which again transmits P_(TPC)=+1 on the basis of the understepping of the set value SIR_(Soll)=−2 dB.

[0093] T=12: The TFC is again changed over. Since, in this case, the second condition of case 2b is not satisfied, an increase by 1 dB is carried out (on the basis of the TPC bits of the preceding frame), plus 4 dB on the basis of the modified P_(Off). The SIR_(Ist)=2 dB which is then measured is higher than the current set value of SIR_(Soll)=−2 dB, so that a reduction of the transmit power is signaled via the TPC bits.

[0094] T=13: Since case 3 applies, the transmit power P of the base station is not reduced, so that 5 dB is transmitted unmodified, whereby SIR_(Ist)=3 dB is measured in the receiver. P_(TPC)=0 dB is transmitted in order to prevent SIR_(Ist) from falling below the set value SIR_(Soll).

[0095] T=14: Since the power offset P_(Off) has not changed, because the current TFC has not been changed compared with the preceding frame, P=5 dB is transmitted unmodified, thereby producing SIR_(Ist)=2 dB in the receiver. This corresponds exactly to SIR_(Soll) and in turn produces a P_(TPC) of 0 dB.

[0096] T=15: Transmission is repeated with 5 dB, whereby SIR_(Ist)=1 dB is measured in the receiver and P_(TPC)=1 dB is again required.

[0097] The invention has been explained above with reference to an embodiment in which the signal-to-interference ratio SIR has been used as the quality parameter of the receive signal. However, the signal-to-noise ratio SNR, for example, or the bit error rate, measured prior to decoding of the received data, can also be used as the quality parameter. 

1. A method for regulating the transmit power of a transmitter (BS) in a radio system for transmission of data (D) to a receiver (MS) via a radio interface, in which the data (D) are transmitted in consecutive timeframes (T), information (TFCI) relating to a set value (SIR_(Soll)) of a quality parameter of the receive signal is transmitted in a temporarily recurring manner to the receiver (MS), the receiver (MS) determines an actual value (SIR_(Ist)) of the quality parameter of the receive signal and, following a comparison (CMP) with the set value (SIR_(Soll)) transmits comparison information (TPC) relating to the result of the comparison to the transmitter, the receiver (MS) carries out the set/actual value comparison of the quality parameter of the receive signal in each time frame (T) and thereby uses the respective set value (SIR_(Soll)) last notified in one of the preceding timeframes (T−1) with the corresponding information, and when the transmit power (P) of the transmitter (BS) is regulated, a correction value for the set value (SIR_(Soll)) of the quality parameter of the receive signal is additionally taken into account along with the comparison information (TPC) transferred by the receiver (MS), if the set value (SIR_(Soll)) of the preceding time frame (T−1) differs from the set value of the current time frame (T).
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the set value information (TFCI) transferred to the receiver (MS) is maintained constant in each case for at least two consecutive time frames (T).
 3. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which transport formats which are in each case permitted for the transmission of corresponding data (D) are defined for a plurality of services, data of a combination of a plurality of the services are transmitted via a commonly used physical channel, and information relating to the combination, used in the current time frame (T), of the transport formats of the services used for data transmission is transmitted from the transmitter (BS) to the receiver (MS) as set value information (TFCI).
 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, in which, when regulating the transmit power for the current time frame, not only the comparison information (TPC) transferred by the receiver (MS) in the preceding time frame (T−1), but also a modification of the transport format combination used for the data transmission, which was carried out in the current time (T) frame compared with the preceding time frame (T−1), is taken into account.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 4, in which, when regulating the transmit power (P) for the current time frame (T), a modification of the transport format combination used, which was carried out in the preceding time frame (T−1) compared with the latter's preceding time frame (T−2), is additionally taken into account.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, in which no modification of the transmit power (P) is carried out in the current time frame (T), insofar as the amount of an adaptation which is to be carried out on the basis of the modification in the preceding frame (T−1) of the transport format combination which is used is greater than an adaptation of the transmit power which is to be carried out on the basis of the comparison information (TPC) determined in the preceding time frame (T−1), and both adaptations in each case have a different sign bit.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, in which the transmit power (P) is modified in discrete steps, and the step size for the modification of the transmit power in the current time frame (T) is increased if no modification of the transmit power is carried out in the preceding time frame (T−1).
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, in which the transmit power (P) is modified for the current time frame (T), insofar as an adaptation which is to be carried out on the basis of the modification in the preceding frame (T−1) of the transport format combination which is used and an adaptation of the transmit power which is to be carried out on the basis of the comparison information (TPC) determined in the preceding time frame (T−1) in each case have different sign bits, merely corresponding to the comparison information (TPC) determined in the preceding time frame (T1), and, insofar as the above case has occurred, a step size for the modification of the transmit power (P) for the following time frame (T+1) is temporarily increased, insofar as the comparison information (TPC) determined in the current time frame (T) and the comparison information determined in the preceding time frame (T−1) have different sign bits.
 9. A radio system with a transmitter (BS) and a receiver (MS), and with a radio interface for transmission of data (D), whose transmitter transmits the data (D) in consecutive time frames (T), whose transmitter transfers information (TFCI) relating to a set value (SIR_(Soll)) of a quality whose receiver (MS) determines an actual value (SIR_(Ist)) of a quality parameter of the receive signal and, following a comparison with the set value (SIR_(Soll)) transfers comparison information (TPC) relating to the result of the comparison to the transmitter, whose receiver (MS) carries out the set/actual value comparison of the quality parameter of the receive signal in each time frame (T) and thereby uses the respective set value (SIR_(Soll)) last notified in one of the preceding timeframes (T−1) with the corresponding information, and whose transmitter (BS), when setting its transmit power (P), takes into account a correction value for the set value (SIR_(Soll)) of the quality parameter of the receive signal, in addition to the comparison information (TPC) transferred by the receiver (MS), if the set value (SIR_(Soll)) which is used differs from the set value of the preceding time frame (T−1). 